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The article discusses how political gaffes impact candidates, using historical examples and contrasting them with contemporary political discourse. It begins with Mitt Romney's 2012 statement about 47% of Americans being dependent on the government, which was secretly recorded. Romney framed it as an economic observation about those not paying federal income tax, while Obama's campaign portrayed it as a condescending worldview. Fact-checkers found Romney conflated non-taxpayers with those dependent on government aid, including low-wage workers and retirees. The context of a high-priced fundraiser further highlighted the perceived disconnect. Obama countered by emphasizing his role as president for all, including those who didn't vote for him, a narrative that ultimately prevailed. Romney later admitted his statement was "completely wrong," and it's seen as a turning point that harmed his campaign.

The piece then explores how Donald Trump's provocative statements, such as those about Mexican immigrants, John McCain, and a disabled reporter, did not harm his political standing. Dan Pfeiffer noted that Trump's supporters often agreed with his remarks, viewing them as authentic. Unlike Romney, whose gaffe reinforced a perception of elitism, Trump's bluntness became part of his brand, strengthening his connection with his base. This is contrasted with Hillary Clinton's 2016 remark about Trump supporters being a "basket of deplorables," which she regretted, but her supporters embraced the label.

Columnist Ruth Marcus is cited, suggesting that gaffes damaging a candidate's existing image are more harmful. While Romney's and Clinton's remarks fit their elite personas, Trump's provocations aligned with his anti-establishment image. The article also touches on Israeli politics, noting how Likud, under Begin and Netanyahu, has leveraged statements to connect with the Mizrahi public, while remarks by Sara Netanyahu about refined Europeans not eating much were not disavowed. Journalist Michael Kinsley's "gaffe law" is mentioned, defining a gaffe as an unintentional truth. The article posits that the public's perception of gaffes has shifted, and what was once overlooked, like Netanyahu's family's perceived elitism, may now carry a political cost.

Finally, the article analyzes Yinon Magal's recent comment about Gadi Eisenkot, which generated competing narratives. Magal claimed he was referring to a low-level operative, while Channel 14 framed it as out of context. Critics argued it revealed a racist perception of Eisenkot, a successful Mizrahi figure. Eisenkot himself, it's noted, has managed his image, even downplaying his English proficiency to maintain his "man of the periphery" persona. The author suggests Magal's gaffe, amplified by the Likud's response, may have deepened the anti-Netanyahu sentiment, exposing a campaign in decline and a public that is maturing beyond manipulative tactics. The article concludes by questioning whether this shift will translate into electoral consequences for Netanyahu.